Rituals - adulthood
Jewish rites and rituals continue into adulthood with marriage, which is considered a blessing from God. Traditionally, there has been an expectation that all Jews will marry and have children.
Betrothal
Betrothal, or Betrothal. The first stage of the Jewish wedding process., is usually a 12-month engagement period before a wedding. Traditionally, a ceremony would be held a year before the wedding to mark the betrothal.
The two partners in an Jews who live by the Torah and rabbinic law (halakhah) and who only accept changes that can be supported by the Torah. couple do not see each other for a week before the wedding ceremony.
Wedding ceremony
A Jewish wedding can happen on any day other than The seventh day of the week; a day of spiritual renewal and rest commencing at sunset on Friday and terminating at nightfall on Saturday. or one of the Jewish festivals. In all branches of Judaism, it is permissible for weddings to be commemorated either in a Building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly. or in a non-religious venue, such as a hotel.
There are several stages to the wedding ceremony:
- The couple To go without food and drink for a set period of time. before the wedding to cleanse themselves of sin.
- A wedding ceremony happens underneath the A canopy used during a Jewish wedding. It is representative of the couple’s home.. The chuppah symbolises the home that the bride and groom will share together. The groom gives the bride a ring. Alternatively, in Reform Judaism, the bride and groom tend to give rings to each other.
- Seven wedding blessings are recited, including praising God for his creation.
- The rabbi blesses the couple.
- The bride and groom sign the Jewish marriage contract stating the rights and obligations of both partners. in front of witnesses. This contract can include the bride’s rights, particularly if a divorce were to happen.
- The bride and groom share a glass of wine. The groom then breaks the glass under his foot to show regret for the destruction of the The central place of Jewish worship in Jerusalem from biblical times until AD70. and to symbolise the fact that life involves hardship as well as happiness.
- The people at the wedding wish the couple good luck.
- The bride and groom have a short time together in a private room.
- There is a wedding reception. Orthodox Jews also have separate receptions for men and women before the wedding.
In Judaism, marriage shows holiness in everyday life and fulfils the commandment to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:22). A spiritual bond is created through the merging of two souls.
Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become one flesh.
Question
What is a chuppah?
A canopy under which a couple get married.
